2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4, with its Premium Luxury trim, presented a sophisticated yet sporty appearance. Its Silver Radiant metallic paint and 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its visual appeal, making it one of the most attractive Cadillac crossovers. The interior was mostly upscale, featuring quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls detracted from its luxury feel. Despite these minor setbacks, the XT4's cabin was generally pleasant, offering a comfortable and stylish environment for its occupants.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models but with a fresher interior. The Outback's cabin, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The interior quality was a significant improvement over pre-2015 models, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding for protection and a smooth, balanced design. Its standout feature was its lifted wagon style, offering a unique alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving experience, thanks to its broad torque band. However, the front-wheel-drive model experienced some torque steer and front-wheel slip, which could be mitigated by opting for the twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts but was sometimes hesitant to downshift, even in Sport mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy feel in Sport mode. The oversized wheels provided impressive grip, but the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, affecting overall ride comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, in its base form, was equipped with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the Outback's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than speed, with a smooth ride and excellent off-road capability thanks to its high ground clearance and advanced all-wheel-drive system. The turbocharged engine provided a better balance of power and efficiency, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking more performance.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment was spacious, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4 excelled in climate control, with an efficient air conditioning system that quickly cooled the cabin. Storage space was ample, with innovative solutions like umbrella holders and a wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating. Visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and convenient dash pockets. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing a practical and cost-effective solution for carrying additional cargo.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured an improved Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to use, but a larger screen would have been more fitting for a luxury vehicle. The voice-recognition system worked well, though it could be improved by integrating climate controls. The optional 13-speaker Bose audio system delivered a satisfying listening experience, but the test vehicle lacked some advanced features like a head-up display and rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system's functionality was impressive but relied solely on cameras, which could be limited in certain conditions. The single large screen was more cohesive and user-friendly than the base model's dual-screen setup.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. The Driver Awareness Package offered additional features like lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Outback earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback an overall five-star rating, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.